Competitive UP good for UAAP

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Having a competitive University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons basketball team is good for the school and the UAAP.

The State University has a lot on its hands to think about and work on and it’s understandable when it hasn’t been able to stay in step with the current powers of the league. This is not to say that UP has been remiss in supporting college athletics as a vital part of student formation. We shouldn’t forget that UP has had champion teams in football, swimming, baseball, cheer dancing and other sports.

But there seems to be a change in the way things are being done for the Fighting Maroons basketball team and there’s a renewed interest in its hoop campaign.

The buzz isn’t just about that big win against De La Salle University, the defending champion, although the triumph created ripples of conversation in basketball circles and on social media. It’s more about having a chance in every game to score a win against both the frontrunners and the struggling teams.

A competitive UP team will spread interest not only for its community but also for basketball followers in general. College ball is interesting beyond school alliances. The game is played by young players whose skills are still being formed and that’s why flashes of brilliance are just as fascinating as fumbles and turnovers.